Welcome to Litsy!

New Year Who Dis? | Bitchy Fits

@ImperfectCJ have already read & loved three off of your list and look forward to reading five more. I have read the following:
Elijah of Buxton
Esperanza Rising
When You Reach Me

I think I'll start with a nonfiction in January, and work on more throughout the year. Prairie Lotus was already on my radar for #MiddleGradeMarch!

A huge thank you to @monalyisha for all your hard work!👏#NYWD22 #newyearwhodis

monalyisha You‘re welcome! A wonderfully varied TBR list you‘ve got here! 6d

42 likes1 comment

In the Midst of Winter: A Novel | Isabel Allende

#DecemberTBR page 2 of 2 It's going to be all Christmas Books all month long! In The Midst of Winter is the #OverBookedClub selection for December. The rest are books available at my library. I will read as many of these as I can.
#WinterGames2021
#Teamgamesleighers @StayCurious

Kdgordon88 What a great looking bunch of books to choose from. Yay #TeamGameSleighers! 2w

sblbooks @Kdgordon88 Thanks!🎄 2w

StayCurious Great book choices! 4d

45 likes3 comments

The Holiday Swap | Maggie Knox

#DecemberTBR page 1 of 2 It's going to be all Christmas Books all month long! The books in this collage are priority.
#WinterGames2021
#Teamgamesleighers @StayCurious

37 likes

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper

Book Clubbed | Lorna Barrett

#OverbookedClub while I'm at it, I might as well go all the way back to the beginning. In August 2019 @megnews asked if anyone would like to do a buddy read with her, and the rest is history.😄 @Saturndoo joined us to read Auschwitz Lullaby that month. #buddyread

megnews I‘m so glad you did this! We‘ve read some great books and enjoyed conversation. Looking forward to more in the coming year! 2w

sblbooks @megnews yes, here's to many more... 2w

CoffeeNBooks I've enjoyed so many of the #OverbookedClub books I've read with you all! 2w

See All 6 Comments

sblbooks @CoffeeNBooks. Thanks! I know you've been with us a long time. Do you remember what your first book was? 2w

Butterfinger I wish I could remember my first one. I can only remember the one I subbed.

sblbooks @Butterfinger That was a good month, you're you're an excellent sub! 1w

32 likes6 comments

Book Clubbed | Lorna Barrett

#OverbookedClub just for the fun of it I made another collage for the books we read in 2020. @megnews #buddyread

Kdgordon88 I appreciate the walk down memory lane. Lots of awesome books were read! 2w

sblbooks @Kdgordon88 you're welcome! There's more to come next year I'm sure. 2w

Roary47 I didn‘t get to read all of them with you, but Free Lunch still hits me in the feels when a random memory of it comes up. 2w

See All 6 Comments

sblbooks @Roary47 we're glad you joined us. Free lunch with one of our best discussions. 2w

Butterfinger There it was. I Was Anastasia was my first one with you. 1w

sblbooks @Butterfinger 👍 1w

36 likes6 comments

sblbooks @catebutler @Chrissyreadit @Butterfinger @Kdgordon88 @CoffeeNBooks @kspenmoll @Roary47 @Littlewolf1 @rubyslippersreads @BookishMe 2w

Book Clubbed | Lorna Barrett

#OverbookedClub 2021 is coming to an end soon. It's time to start thinking about what we should read next year. Instead of monthly voting we will hold quarterly votes & instead of voting in the comments we will create a Google document for each vote. One month prior to the start of each quarter we will have a blurb showing your options and link the document for you to vote. I will post options for Jan-March on December 1st. @megnews #buddyread

sblbooks I'm going to tag some that have read with us in the past, but feel free to share with anyone else. 2w

sblbooks @TheBookHippie @shellleigh33 @Tattooedteacher @marleed @Readswithcoffee @thereadingowlvina @LazyOwl @erzascarletbookgasm @LibrarianRyan 2w

See All 22 Comments

sblbooks @melissajayne @ravenlee @Crazeedi @sabyym @JenlovesJT47 @SaturnDoo @katy4peas @JaclynW @Soubhiville 2w

Kdgordon88 Sounds good to me! 2w

megnews What a great reading year!! Looking forward to another! 2w

katy4peas Cool. Thanks!! 2w

sblbooks @megnews me too! I was thinking about doing a collage for what we read in 2020. I kind of like seeing it all together. 2w

Chrissyreadit Im excited! 2w

TheBookHippie I would have never found some of these reads. So grateful! 2w

shellleigh33 I have been blessed to be able to read some great books this year that I would have never found without this group. Can‘t wait for next year!! 2w

megnews @sblbooks you should. I like seeing it too. 2w

kspenmoll While I did not get to every book, I so enjoyed the ones I read! 2w

catebutler Sounds great to me! I‘ve really enjoyed reading the books this past year!! 2w

erzascarletbookgasm Thanks for the tag. I look forward to seeing next year‘s picks. 2w

Readswithcoffee Thanks, as always, for including me even though I‘m not always able to participate. 2w

sblbooks @Readswithcoffee of course, we're happy to have you any time you can participate. 2w

Crazeedi Great! Can't wait to see what we read 2w

coffeewithbooks I will like to join if possible (: 5d

sblbooks @coffeewithbooks I will tag you in the upcoming vote. We are reading In The Midst of Winter for December if you want to join sooner. Just click on #OverbookedClub for more information. 5d

coffeewithbooks @sblbooks awesome thank you . I will see if my library has it (: 5d

sblbooks @coffeewithbooks you're welcome. @megnews can you add her to the list for December? 5d

46 likes22 comments

The Edge of Lost | Kristina Mcmorris

pick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
From Ireland to America and back again. I really enjoyed the story about love, family, loyalty, and forgiveness. Friendly reminder that the discussion questions will be on Nov 27th at 4pm. #OverbookedClub

Crazeedi So glad you're part of the #TeamGameSleighers!! Whoohoo!💗 2w

sblbooks @Crazeedi it's going to be fun! I'm glad we're on the same team! 2w

34 likes1 stack add2 comments

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row | Anthony Ray Hinton, Lara Love Hardin

pick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Incredible true story! Just imagine being wrongly convicted of murder and spending the next thirty years in solitary. The Injustice is poor man endured is unbelievable!
What an amazing testimony, despite all this he was able to forgive those that did him so wrong. It really makes you think what would you do in this situation? I definitely want to read Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson now.
#NonFictionNovember

Hooked_on_books Just Mercy is so good! And this one is marvelous. This man has so much grace, it‘s extraordinary. 2w

44 likes1 stack add1 comment

Books for Good | Fletcher, NC (Bookstore)

Thanks for the tag! @megnews
1 I just found out about this book store near me. Books for Good. Part of the proceeds go to a charity of your choice.
2 no list, but I normally know what genre are in the mood for.
Do you want to play? @BarbaraJean @CoffeeNBooks @ravenlee
#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 📕📚📕 2w

37 likes1 comment

My Favorite Things | Maira Kalman

I'm going to start off 2022 with a fun swap! #BestOf2021Swap @candority Thanks for hosting! This swap a pair well with the #newyearwhodis challenge that I hope to participate in.

candority Yay! Thanks for sharing! 💕 3w

monalyisha Yesss. Killer combo! 💯 3w

40 likes2 comments

New Year, New You | Steve Pacer

I'm hoping to join #NewYearwhodis2022 next year. Thanks for the tag @monalyisha it looks like so much fun.

megnews I saw it when you tagged me. Thanks! (edited) 3w

sblbooks @megnews you're welcome! 3w

34 likes2 comments

I Can Make This Promise | Christine Day

pick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
An eye-opening story about a twelve-year-old Suquamish/ duwamish girl who learns about friendship, family secrets and Native American identity. Biographical fiction at its best, this was based on the author's family. #TIL Today I learned about the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. #MgbuddyRead @megnews

megnews I love when a fictional work teaches me something I didn‘t know about. I‘m learning a lot I never this month reading books written by Indigenous authors. 3w

39 likes1 stack add1 comment

The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel | Kristin Harmel

pick

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Reminiscent of Where the Crawdads Sing, except this time we're in the forest of Poland during World War II. I loved Yona, what an intriguing character. This won't be my last Kristen Harmel. All the stars!

32 likes

The Edge of Lost | Kristina Mcmorris

The discussion for next month's pick is Saturday, November 27th. If I missed anyone, or if you want to join in let me know. #OverbookedClub @Crazeedi @catebutler @CoffeeNBooks @Chrissyreadit @kspenmoll @LazyOwl @rubyslippersreads @TheBookHippie @shellleigh33 @Kdgordon88 @megnews

Chrissyreadit Waiting for it to arrive ❤️ 4w

Crazeedi I have it borrowed! Going to read next!! 4w

34 likes2 comments

November's Fury: The Deadly Great Lakes Hurricane of 1913 | Michael Schumacher

#NovemberTBR
#OverbookedClub -The Edge of Lost
#MGBuddyRead - I Can Make this Promise
#KindredSpirits - Chronicles of Avonlea & Further Chronicles of Avonlea
#NonfictionNovember - The Sun Does Shine
#cozyswap gift from last year - Murder Past Due
Historiathon 2.5 (booktube) The Last Green Valley, The Book of Lost Friends & The Forest of Vanishing Stars (added at the last minute because my library hold came in.)
#Thanksgiving - 4 picture books

megnews I‘m looking forward to hearing your review of the Sun does Shine. It‘s been in my tbr for awhile. Also looking forward to Book of Lost Friends review. I read it and look forward to seeing what you think 1mo

ravenlee Cranberry Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holiday books! It was out of print for so long, I was ecstatic when I saw it had been rereleased! 1mo

sblbooks @megnews They both have good reviews so I'm looking forward to it. Do you ever watch YouTube videos? I wanted to read The Sun Does Shine after listening to Krista's at Books and Jams review it. 1mo

sblbooks @ravenlee Oh, that's good to know. I might have to order the hardcover, instead of just ordering the ebook. 1mo

36 likes4 comments

Winter Games | Rachel Johnson

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I'm looking forward to joining in the fun of #WinterGames2021 See @Clwojick or @StayCurious for the link to sign up.🌲❄⛄🎄

KristiAhlers I signed up yesterday! Looking forward to this! 1mo

sblbooks @KristiAhlers Yay! It's so much fun. 1mo

30 likes2 comments

Book Report Journal | Journals for All Staff

@Cinfhen here is my #bookreport for last week, and #weeklyforecast for the upcoming week. A Monster Calls is my favorite so far. I'm enjoying the selection for #MgbuddyRead - Ophie's Ghost @megnews

Cinfhen Great week!! Like how you shared your reading!! Cool graphics ❤️ 2mo

31 likes1 comment

October, October | Katya Balen

#OctoberTBR I hope to finish all these next month.
#OverbookedClub After Alice Fell
#MGBuddyRead Ophie's Ghost
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead Emily's Quest

47 likes

The Edge of Lost | Kristina Mcmorris

#OverbookedClub the vote was close but we will be reading The Edge of Lost in November. @megnews @Butterfinger @Chrissyreadit @shellleigh33 @CoffeeNBooks @Crazeedi @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @Roary47 @Littlewolf1 @LazyOwl @rubyslippersreads @Readswithcoffee @katy4peas @TheBookHippie @catebutler @sabyym @Birdsong28
You don't have to be on this list to join in, just let me know if you'd like to be tagged.

catebutler All of the choices were excellent, so excited to read this in November. 2mo

shellleigh33 Sounds good 2mo

Kdgordon88 Sounds great! 2mo

See All 11 Comments

CoffeeNBooks Sounds like a really interesting book! 2mo

Chrissyreadit 🙌👏 2mo

kspenmoll 😀 2mo

Crazeedi @megnews I'm going to look for this too and jump in!! 1mo

Crazeedi @megnews found and borrowed this book! I'm ready!! 1mo

sblbooks @Crazeedi 👏 I'm glad you were able to locate one. 1mo

Crazeedi @sblbooks yes! So sorry I didn't tag you too, but I'm ready! Whoohoo!! 1mo

sblbooks @Crazeedi you don't have to tag me, if it's my post that's why I saw it. I automatically get notified.😄 1mo

36 likes1 stack add11 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

katy4peas I loved it! Thank you! 2mo

megnews I‘m just really glad this one was picked because I really loved it. Was totally invested in their story. 2mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger @katy4peas @megnews I'm glad to hear everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. 2mo

Butterfinger Oh yes. It will be on my end of the year favorites list. 2mo

6 likes4 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

sblbooks I'm hoping for a sequel. 2mo

katy4peas I liked the ending. At the same time, it left me hanging a bit! 2mo

megnews Yeah it did seem we saw a lot of them when Stella was small and then skipped a bunch. 2mo

4 likes3 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

sblbooks I always liked Jack from the beginning. It was obvious he had PTSD and just couldn't talk about the war. I'm glad they learned to communicate by the end of the novel. 2mo

katy4peas I didn‘t mind him. I‘m glad he was able to give Stella space and she was able to come back to him. 2mo

megnews He seemed distant at the beginning but I agree it was pretty obvious about PTSD and we know much more about it now than Stella or even Jack could have understood at that time. I was so glad when she responded so well when he panicked when they went out. I‘m glad their relationship was on the mend. 2mo

sblbooks @katy4peas @megnews I'm so glad there was a happy ending to this relationship! 2mo

4 likes4 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

Butterfinger No, but I am glad they had their night. 2mo

sblbooks Stella and Charlie should have gotten married. I wish she had have just come clean in the beginning. I felt like he would have understood, and they could have made it work, somehow. 2mo

katy4peas @sblbooks totally. 2mo

megnews @Butterfinger @sblbooks @katy4peas I agree with all the above. 2mo

4 likes4 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

Butterfinger When Stella finally realized how she pushed her husband was wrong. Their reunion. I'm a romantic. I also liked when Stella met Charlie and finally understood her mother's level of love. 2mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger I love those too. It's hard to pick just one. I love this entire book. I like the parts with Stella and her kids, also when Hattie writes Stella the note at the end of the book. 2mo

katy4peas I thought Stella was kind whiney, but she did grow on me. I loved Charlie and I adored Althea. I wish she would have confided in him. He would have understood and would have kept her secret. I loved when Stella‘s kids sang in the choir with the other kids. 2mo

megnews I loved seeing how much Althea loved Stella when she was young. I loved the whole book too but I think I especially liked Dr Morrison. Like @katy4peas I felt he would understand what Althea did. 2mo

4 likes4 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

Butterfinger I loved that she gave the principal ultimatums. I was disappointed when she walked out, but if she hadn't, the principal wouldn't have believed her about sending the letters to the government. She came back. I was glad that she came back. 2mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger Exactly! Stella got upset with Jack because he felt she was giving up too easily but he was right. I'm glad it all worked out in the end. 2mo

sblbooks If that had been me today; I probably would have sued somebody. 2mo

See All 7 Comments

katy4peas I felt like she gave in too easily as well, but I guess it took a bit of finding herself and learning about herself and her story in order for her to become stronger and go back with more force behind her. And, yes, the principal wouldn‘t have believed her if she hadn‘t of left the first time. @Butterfinger 2mo

katy4peas That part made me so mad and sad tho! I was heartbroken for those kids! I loved the choir scene at the end! 😊 2mo

megnews @Butterfinger @sblbooks @katy4peas sometimes standing up is saying you aren‘t going to be a part of something you disagree with. I did feel bad for the children but I think she felt she couldn‘t really teach them without the supplies and time she needed and they deserved and had a right to. 2mo

sblbooks @katy4peas that was a great scene. 2mo

5 likes7 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

Truevine: Two Brothers, a Kidnapping, and a Mother's Quest: A True Story of the Jim Crow South

Butterfinger I can't talk about this without sharing my experience with the Greatest Showman. I WAS NOT GOING TO watch it. My children were not going to watch it because he treated those people like slaves. My mother-in-law went behind my back and my girls started singing the music. I finally watched it and loved it. Why? Because they found a family and acceptance. When I listened to that part, it reminded me. The people may have found a place where they found belonging and a way to have independence. 2mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger thanks for sharing. When we look at this scenario by today's standards it's quite shocking. You think well it's obvious that's not right. I have a moderate disability, I can't imagine having to do something like that to earn a living. I'm so thankful to have options today that people didn't used to have. I remember several years ago watching a documentary about conjoined twins that were part of a circus...🔽 2mo

sblbooks It was a family to them and they were proud to be able to earn a living. As adults, they were told that they can no longer be part of his Sideshow, they became very angry because they had to go on disability and could not work. They talked about how depressed they became and the fact that they felt useless. 2mo

See All 18 Comments

katy4peas It‘s such a weird thing, because many people feel like it is wrong and should be stopped because these people are being treated the wrong way and are being used as entertainment. Yet they don‘t bother to ask the actual people involved how they feel and what they want. Many of them find a place to belong and people who care about them and a way to make a living. They like what they do and don‘t want to stop. Is it our choice to make them stop? 2mo

megnews @Butterfinger @sblbooks @katy4peas I think it depends if the people chose to be involved themselves. If they did, it‘s ok. If their parents left them there as children and they had no so, no. I think humans have a natural curiosity to see things that are different/rare. I think you can have that curiosity without looking down on people. 2mo

sblbooks @katy4peas @megnews @Butterfinger 🤔 2mo

katy4peas @megnews what if a person joins because they feel it is their only option? They don‘t really want to or like it, but feel that is the only way they can survive? 2mo

megnews @katy4peas I feel that is ok too. I think it‘s sad but they aren‘t being forced against their will. 2mo

katy4peas I also find it interesting about the natural curiosity that you pointed out. I think you are right, but I think that no matter what the person with the curiosity intends, the person‘s perceptions and feelings on the other end matter. I guess I am equating this to school when we learned that it doesn‘t matter if you meant something in a nice way, if the other person took it as something mean and saw you as bullying them, then that is what it was. 2mo

katy4peas @megnews hmm. I sometimes wonder if they truly choose it or if society forces them to in a way based on what is “acceptable” and how they can find work and make a living. Especially depending on where in the world they are and the time period. 🤔 interesting… @Butterfinger @sblbooks (edited) 2mo

sblbooks @katy4peas @megnews I used to get upset with nosy questions & staring when I was a kid. My mom always told me that people are just curious, and that I shouldn't let it bother me. I'm an introvert by nature, so it takes a long time for me to get to know people. I feel like I don't owe anyone an explanation. I should have the right to not answer questions. If someone takes the time to get to know me that I don't mind sharing. 2mo

megnews @katy4peas I hear what you‘re saying. When I grew up Guinness world records and Ripleys Believe it or Not were still big. I remember as a kid being curious about people who were exceptionally tall or double jointed and could do all sorts of things most people couldn‘t or even conjoined twins or the oldest person on earth. Thats what I was thinking of. I do agree the other person‘s feelings matter. 2mo

sblbooks @megnews @katy4peas @Butterfinger if you had this discussion with 10 different disabled people you get 10 different answers, so it's always important to take the time to get to know a person. I feel like back then people just didn't have options. We've come a long way, but we could do better. Too many people still say, "oh well, you don't need to work." Most disabled people I know want to work. 2mo

katy4peas @megnews those are still popular! I can see where those are very curiosity-invoking! I guess I was still thinking circus people. And even some of the Ripley‘s people were from time periods where they had hard lives because they looked so different. I guess there are so many different scenarios. 2mo

katy4peas @sblbooks there are so many different experiences and we still have a long way to go. Getting to know the person is definitely important. 2mo

Butterfinger I was thinking of those who were sold by their parents to carnivals and festivals. Truevine is about the albino boys who were billed as monkey men or the lost link. Excellent book and it discusses both sides of the issue - was it slavery and exploitation or was it family and a way to make a living. Barnum withheld pay, but they missed the life when they retired. @katy4peas @megnews @sblbooks

2mo

Butterfinger Great discussion. 2mo

katy4peas @Butterfinger wow! That book sounds amazing. I mean it is a sad issue, but the book sounds fascinating and very interesting. Thanks for the suggestion! 2mo

6 likes18 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

Butterfinger The actual number that was saved. 6000. Wow!! And also that he was so clever that he showed off the babies at the park to use the profits for equipment and medicine. I can't think of him as a conman. He found a way and used it to benefit the children. Was it exploitation? Yes, but still I admire the cleverness. 2mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger definitely, he was a hero in my book. I found it sad that so many medical professionals were unwilling to allow him to help preemies. Yet they were not willing to try to help them either. Smh 2mo

katy4peas Unfortunately, he either had to exploit them in order to help them at all which made the doctors laugh at his treatment. Or when he brought his idea to the doctors, they laughed, so he had to find a way to help them and this was the only way that he could make work. He had to do something. 2mo

See All 6 Comments

sblbooks @katy4peas exactly right! Thank God he was willing to do something for the babies that would have died otherwise. 2mo

megnews I agree with @Butterfinger about the number saved. The date is also so surprising to me. With my mom as a nurse in neonatal I knew it wasn‘t until much later that actual NICUs came into existence. It‘s sad more drs didn‘t try this when it was possible to do. 2mo

kspenmoll 6000! That‘s incredible- he had to showboat to get his/babies financial needs met. An ingenious idea. 2mo

5 likes6 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

This post contains spoilers

Butterfinger Yes. She made the right decision. The baby would have died without her sacrifice. The doctors were so condescending - would not even consider new and better practices which makes me think professional development was not required back then to keep your license. I'm sure there were some nurses who did what she did. 2mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger I believe she made the right decision for Stella. Like you said the doctors would have just let her die. If Athena returned the baby, she still might have died from abuse. My heart goes out to Hattie, but I don't think she never would have stood up to her husband. 2mo

Butterfinger Hattie broke my heart. 2mo

See All 12 Comments

sblbooks @Butterfinger for sure💔 2mo

katy4peas Overall, that was a very brave decision to make and I am so glad she made it. I think it was the right one, but also the hard one. I hope there were others who did the same thing, or dropped off babies at Coney Island. 2mo

sblbooks @katy4peas agreed. I don't think I could be that brave but I'm glad she was. Wouldn't it be interesting to know how many had to sneak babies into Coney Island? 2mo

megnews @Butterfinger @sblbooks @katy4peas this is a tough question because we have certain ethics in my job & I‘m a very black and white person when it comes to that. In the end, I agree with all of you about her taking the child there. I wish she had just blurted out to Hattie that Stella lived and that she‘d keep her if she wanted. I definitely wouldn‘t want her to grow up in that environment. I would love to know more about the babies that went ther 2mo

sblbooks @megnews true,she did break the law, so I see your point. If you wouldn't strictly by the book, I don't think it would have turned out well. Is that considered "playing God?" 2mo

megnews @sblbooks the thing is even today people have the right to choose how much medical care they want for themselves or their children. For instance, my mother worked in a level 3 NICU which did a lot but not extreme measures. There is a level 4 at Rainbow in Cleveland where people could choose to take their children if they wanted access to everything, which many of those children ended up with much poorer prognosis. So the parents had the right ⬇️ 2mo

megnews ⬆️to make that choice but it should be an educated choice which the doctors weren‘t willing to provide. In fact they were very against trying to save preemies. What a shame! 2mo

katy4peas To me it was the right choice because the doctors refused to provide more information and even give the baby a chance. Yes, it is the family‘s choice, but it should be an educated choice with both sides presented. @megnews @sblbooks (edited) 2mo

kspenmoll I think it was the right choice - although it dramatically changed her life, she gave a baby a chance to live- it is too bad that the medical profession can be closed minded, not educate patients so they can make informed decisions. 2mo

6 likes12 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

#OverbookedClub @megnews @CoffeeNBooks @Chrissyreadit @shellleigh33 @Birdsong28 @Butterfinger @catebutler @TheBookHippie @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @Roary47 @Readswithcoffee @katy4peas and anyone else I forgot or would like to discuss.

Chrissyreadit I wasn‘t able to get it from the library- so I‘m just going to order it from Amazon and come back to discussion another time. 2mo

sblbooks I'm sorry you weren't able to read it yet. I think it's definitely worth the money to buy your own copy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. @Chrissyreadit 2mo

Chrissyreadit @sblbooks oh good Im glad to hear that it is that good! Im looking forward to it 2mo

31 likes3 comments

The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel

Next Up: 8 Shifts Great Young Leaders Make | Jonathan Pearson

#OverbookedClub please vote for the November buddy read of your choice. @megnews @shellleigh33 @Roary47 @Crazeedi @Chrissyreadit @Butterfinger @kspenmoll @Kdgordon88 @Birdsong28 @CoffeeNBooks @Readswithcoffee @TheBookHippie @catebutler @Littlewolf1 @LazyOwl @katy4peas @sabyym @JenlovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @melissajayne @Tattooedteacher

sblbooks 1

The Last Green Valley

2mo

sblbooks 2

2mo

sblbooks 3

The Edge of Lost

2mo

See All 15 Comments

sblbooks 4

Flight of the Sparrow: A Novel of Early America

2mo

megnews My vote is for

The Edge of Lost

2mo

Kdgordon88 My vote

The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel

2mo

TheBookHippie

Edge of Lost

2mo

Chrissyreadit I vote for Edge of Lost 2mo

catebutler

Flight of the Sparrow: A Novel of Early America

2mo

LazyOwl I've been a bit absent lately, but will try to get back on track with this one. I'm happy with whatever is chosen. 2mo

Butterfinger Flight of the Sparrow 2mo

rubyslippersreads What @LazyOwl said. 😊 2mo

katy4peas Forest of vanishing stars is my vote! 2mo

Readswithcoffee

The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel

2mo

kspenmoll The edge of

The Edge of Lost

2mo

36 likes15 comments

Emily Climbs | L M Montgomery

so-so

🌟🌟🌟
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead I enjoyed certain aspects of this series. There are some characters/ storylines I just do not like. Does anyone else think that Teddy's mom and Dean should get together, I think they deserve each other. @BarbaraJean

BarbaraJean Teddy‘s mom + Dean—😂😂 They‘re certainly both possessive enough, and probably the same age, I think it‘s a match! Although I can see how Dean as Teddy‘s stepfather might pose a few problems…😬 2mo

sblbooks @BarbaraJean good point, poor Teddy! Teddy would have to marry Emily and move far far away.😂 2mo

28 likes2 comments

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

pick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
And neonatal unit at Coney Island... who knew? This was such a compelling story, I love to read about little-known history. Join us for discussion on the 25th #OverbookedClub @megnews @katy4peas @CoffeeNBooks @Roary47 @Chrissyreadit @catebutler @Butterfinger @TheBookHippie @Readswithcoffee @Birdsong28 @Kdgordon88 @kspenmoll @shellleigh33 @OutAndAbout

catebutler Reading this, this afternoon, it‘s absolutely fascinating so far! 2mo

megnews @catebutler I was reading it this morning. It sucked me in and before I knew it I‘d been reading for an hour. I love a story that does that. 2mo

sblbooks @catebutler @megnews I know... and to think she's a debut author. I can't see what else she writes about. 2mo

See All 8 Comments

catebutler @megnews I just stopped a little while ago to make lunch and couldn‘t wait to get back to it. I think I might have to follow your example and keep reading for at least an hour or two. ☺️ 2mo

catebutler @sblbooks Yes! I just made a note to keep an eye out for future books from her. 2mo

Chrissyreadit I‘m still waiting for it from library but looking forward to it 2mo

Kdgordon88 I'm about half way on audio. Hard to have to stop listening 2mo

katy4peas It‘s a great one. Definitely looking for others by her. 📚👍🏼 2mo

44 likes2 stack adds8 comments

The Red Bandanna: A Life. A Choice. A Legacy. | Tom Rinaldi

pick

#neverforget 💔
Welles Crowther was a true American hero! He lost his life while trying to save others. I listened to the audio book and then watched the documentary. I highly recommend both of them.

32 likes

Vicious Cycle: An Intervention Novel

An Unexpected Frost | David Johnson

#SeriesSeptember #Christianfiction

🌟🌟🌟🌟 An Unexpected Frost
This series is so hard to read it's heartbreaking! Tucker is a really great character, I just love her!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Vicious Cycle
Book 2 in the intervention series continues the story of drug-addicted youth. This is another book with great characters. Highly recommended for teens.

sblbooks 1

3mo

26 likes1 comment

The Red Bandanna: A Life. A Choice. A Legacy.

The Light of Luna Park | Addison Armstrong

#SeptemberTBR
#OverbookedClub - The Light Of Luna Park buddy read
#NeverForget. - The Red Bandana in honor of 9/11
#SeriesSeptember The rest are books that are part of a series, joining in with several booktubers doing this.
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Emily Climbs
@megnews @BarbaraJean
What are your reading plans this month?

megnews I‘m planning to read this as well!

3mo

sblbooks @megnews oh good! 3mo

megnews @sblbooks going to try to get my tbr up tomorrow or the next day. Still gotta get my august wrap up posted 😊 3mo

35 likes3 comments

Leaving Coy's Hill | Katherine A Sherbrooke

pick

Lucy Stone grew up in an abolitionist household, from a young age she was aware of the Injustice around her. She goes on to lead the fight in universal suffrage and anti-slavery. A very informative read about someone I knew nothing about. Great pick @megnews #OverbookedClub

37 likes

Untitled | Unknown

#Thinkpositivebepositive
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thanks for the tag @Roary47
If you want to play consider yourself tagged.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So true!!! 3mo

robinb Beautiful and so true. 💛 3mo

37 likes2 comments

A Separate Peace | John Knowles

pick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
I had to read this in high school, it's been over 30 years. It was one of the few required books that I enjoyed, and I still do. Another review mentioned this gives off Dead Poets Society vibes. I agree.

Hooked_on_books I loved this one in high school. I thought it was much better than Catcher in the Rye, which the class also read around the same time. Maybe I should revisit it, too! 4mo

sblbooks @Hooked_on_books you should re-read it. I was not a fan of Catcher in the Rye either. 4mo

Butterfinger It was one of my favorite assigned reads too. 4mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger 👍 4mo

44 likes1 stack add4 comments

Talk about Litsy

@Chrissyreadit No ,You rock! What a nice surprise after a hard day's work! Thank you! Of course you can choose same theme next year. I have not had a chance to use my survival equipment yet, but it's nice to be prepared. I'll probably need it this winter. #litsymail

Chrissyreadit 😘 4mo

35 likes1 comment

#AugustTBR
#Overbookedclub @megnews
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead @BarbaraJean

Emily of New Moon: A Virago Modern Classic | L. M. Montgomery

megnews I loved

A Sound Among the Trees: A Novel

3mo

megnews How was

The Bookseller: A Novel

3mo

megnews How was

Lost Orphan (Original)

3mo

sblbooks @megnews the Bookseller was a four-star read for me I enjoyed it. I don't want to give too much away because there is a twist at the end. I have yet to read the Lost orphan but I still plan to. I've not been able to read too much this month unfortunately. 3mo

40 likes1 stack add4 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

LazyOwl Sorry, I did get around to reading this. I hope you have a great discussion though. 4mo

sblbooks @LazyOwl no problem👍 4mo

megnews I‘m glad this was picked for OBC. I don‘t know that I would have chosen it myself because the length was somewhat daunting. But now that I know how she keeps the plot moving along I‘m inspired to read her other two books I‘ve put off for that reason. 4mo

See All 12 Comments

sblbooks @megnews you're welcome! I think you'll like her other books. 4mo

catebutler Well, I fell a bit behind this month on this book, 🤦‍♀️ so I‘ll loop around to the discussion questions as soon as I finish up! 4mo

sblbooks @catebutler sounds good. 4mo

Chrissyreadit I enjoyed this book, even though it was lengthy. I would not have normally picked it because I‘ve read so many books that take place during WW2- but I still found it original and interesting 4mo

Butterfinger My favorite part was when Willie threw his leg at the waiter. My husband and daughters heard me say, "oooooh." Beatrice had enough. 4mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger 😂 4mo

megnews @Butterfinger that was crazy! Can you imagine sitting down to eat and seeing a leg fly across the room! 😂 4mo

sabyym @Butterfinger @megnews @sblbooks hahah willie was unhinged. And it surprised me that this was an actual historical incident that took place. 4mo

sblbooks @sabyym me too! I thought she made that up.😅 4mo

31 likes12 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

This post contains spoilers

megnews At one point I looked up something about Marquis and the French Revolution. 4mo

sblbooks @megnews me too. I hope there will be more historical fiction written about this time period. 4mo

megnews @sblbooks I like the American Revolution and still have several on my tbr but it doesn‘t seems as popular as wwii or the civil war. 4mo

See All 8 Comments

Roary47 I am interested to learn more, but didn‘t look up anything. Now that I‘ve heard about this I‘m sure it will pop up a lot. 4mo

Chrissyreadit I did not look anything up, because of time- but I‘m sure I will. 4mo

megnews @Roary47 that happens to me a lot where the same subject seems to come up a lot after I‘ve learned about it from a book. Probably was always there but now I notice it. 4mo

Butterfinger I Wikipediad them both. I love finding out that a character is real. I'm reading a du Maurier and it is about a Richard Grenville and I went straight to Wikipedia. 4mo

Birdsong28 Yes. 4mo

6 likes8 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

This post contains spoilers

megnews I can‘t imagine being anywhere near as brave as Adrienne and it‘s tough to judge one of her actions as braver than another. They were all so brave. To entrust your children to others during such scary times! To stay in prison with her husband. I can‘t imagine doing it. 4mo

sblbooks @megnews We've been so blessed to live in the time that we do, I can't imagine it either. 4mo

Roary47 I think the bravest thing was admitting who she was knowing she would be imprisoned and potentially face the guillotine. She could have easily just used and old forgotten family name. I doubt I would be so brave. 4mo

See All 19 Comments

Chrissyreadit @Roary47 @sblbooks @megnews I think most of her actions were heroic. I wish I knew more about her life- she seems absolutely amazing. 4mo

sblbooks @Chrissyreadit true! I definitely want to read more about her. 4mo

shellleigh33 I thought her and her daughter were so brave by sacrificing themselves to be imprisoned with her husband just so she could stand by his side and all be together. That had to be scary for all of them. 4mo

sblbooks @shellleigh33 yes they were! I loved that part. 4mo

Butterfinger @megnews @shellleigh33 @Chrissyreadit @Roary47 when she stood up to her father and refused to call for Lafayette. That took guts and I think she was pregnant at the time. And when she wrote to George Washington and shamed him for not helping her husband. Why would Washington not help? 4mo

shellleigh33 @Butterfinger that did take guts. She was a very brave women in many ways. I also did not understand why George Washington did not help her husband. 4mo

sblbooks @shellleigh33 @Butterfinger yes, standing up to her father was definitely brave. I wondered the same thing. I don't understand why Washington didn't help😔 4mo

megnews @Roary47 I agree! 4mo

megnews @shellleigh33 I agree and I love how she raised her daughters just as strong as her! 4mo

megnews @Butterfinger @sblbooks @shellleigh33 it does suck that the French came to our aid and we didn‘t come to theirs. Is this why we still have a contentious relationship today? At the same time, you think they were here trying to create a country, put founding documents together, recoup war losses. And already they couldn‘t agree and deals have to be made. The pressure was probably already on to make America first. Maybe it hurt Washington not to ⬇️ 4mo

megnews Help but he just wasn‘t able. 4mo

Butterfinger @megnews yeah, after I wrote it, I thought Washington was putting relations between France and America first. It was a tough decision. And, we don't know what was in the letters between Washington and the American diplomat in France at the time. 4mo

Birdsong28 I think it was when she was in the prison and was getting sicker and sicker but still fought for her and her family. 4mo

megnews @Birdsong28 that‘s a good one. Especially when her husband was telling her to leave. 4mo

sabyym How she made a powerful political move by deciding to stay in the prison despite her health was intelligent and heartbreaking. 4mo

sblbooks @Birdsong28 @sabyym definitely! 4mo

5 likes19 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

This post contains spoilers

megnews I‘d always heard of Marquis de Lafayette but didn‘t even know he was married with children whom he left behind. I also felt I learned more about the world wars as well as the French Revolution. I love learning from fiction. Much more interesting and memorable than memorizing facts. 4mo

sblbooks @megnews Same! I love biographical fiction! 4mo

Roary47 I had no clue. I enjoy history, but I‘m not sure I know a lot of it. I‘m interested to learn more about this in the future. 4mo

See All 10 Comments

Chrissyreadit I learned quite a bit about different aspects in those timelines. Especially the French Revolution. 4mo

Butterfinger That Lafayette had a life after he left us. Who knew? And he was imprisoned. I always wonder why were the two revolutions so different. Why did the French people (rebels) become such despots themselves and why did they use the guillotine so freely? I know we weren't perfect. It just seems France was bloodier. @Chrissyreadit @Roary47 @megnews I love historical fiction. 4mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger you brought out some good points. I have often wondered why the French Revolution was so much more vicious. If King George was not across the ocean, would the US have acted differently? 4mo

megnews @sblbooks when I read @Butterfinger comments I wondered the same and see you already posted it. Perhaps there was an idea if we don‘t stamp them all out, we risk being right back where we started and I think it would be even worse for them then. Also, once they got started it probably turned into that mob group think and took on a life of its own. 4mo

sblbooks @megnews True! 4mo

Birdsong28 I have studied all the time periods in this book in great detail but have always been very interested in the French Revolution. I have learnt some new things about each era so even though I was prepared I still gained knowledge. 4mo

sabyym WW1 and WW2 incidents i were familiar with but French/ American revolutions were raw and interesting to me. (edited) 4mo

5 likes10 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

This post contains spoilers

megnews When is a person finally moved to act? I think it‘s when they are pushed too far, when the proverbial straw breaks the camels back which is different for every person. I think young people are more prone to action because they may not always consider all the risks involved. I don‘t think Marthe realized how dangerous her actions were. 4mo

Roary47 I agree that Marthe recognized the danger because she mentioned how careful she needed to be when making the fake documents. Younger individuals take more risks I feel because they normally do not have others relying on them, and they are trying to make their own way in the world. 4mo

megnews @Roary47 that‘s true. Fewer people relying on you. 4mo

See All 13 Comments

sblbooks I think a person is moved to act when something happens to them, or someone they know. Unfortunately if it's a stranger that is being mistreated a lot of times people won't get involved. @Roary47 I agree that young people are not responsible for the a family, so they feel they can take chances. 4mo

Chrissyreadit I agree motivation to act is often born through necessity, then empathy, and morality based on individuals needs having been met and having the privilege to act morally. I think young people def take more risked because they have less dependents, or it could be they have nothing left to lose. @sblbooks @megnews @Roary47 4mo

Butterfinger @megnews @Roary47 @Chrissyreadit I agree with Roary. Young people want to make their way in the world and who is around to influence them. Marte had her friend's mother, the one who was hiding the family. And Yves. Oh, I loved him. 4mo

megnews I agree with you @Chrissyreadit 4mo

megnews @Butterfinger I loved him too. He was worried for Marthe but understood and encouraged her resistance, showing her how to do it safely. 4mo

Chrissyreadit @Butterfinger I loved him too ❤️❤️ 4mo

sblbooks @Butterfinger @megnews @Chrissyreadit I agree with all of you I loved Marthe's husband. ❤ 4mo

Birdsong28 I think Marthe's husband stopped her from being reckless which is what saved her in the end as she was cautious because she had something to be cautious for. 4mo

sabyym I‘d also like to add that it isn‘t just people around you that influences your action but also history itself. In many places Marthe said ‘what would Lafayette/Adrienne do?‘ The chavaniac castle itself has had such resilient fighters that encouraged her to follow their footsteps in a way. (edited) 4mo

sblbooks @sabyym good point about the historical role models. 4mo

5 likes13 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

This post contains spoilers

megnews I think Beatrice wanted more from life than that of a society wife, probably because she hadn‘t grown up in that life and especially because she was bored without her husband. I think she genuinely cared and wanted to leave an impact. 4mo

sblbooks Agreed. Her childhood definitely had an impact on her life, I think it made her more empathetic. 4mo

Roary47 I also agree that her past influenced her desire to help others along with children. My husband was in a bad motorcycle accident when we were newly married, so I empathize that she needed to find something she could do for the good of others. 4mo

See All 8 Comments

Chrissyreadit @megnews @sblbooks @Roary47 I agree she was influenced by her past, but I think she wanted to prove herself and leave her mark to show she “deserved” her wealth and happiness. 4mo

megnews @sblbooks @Roary47 @Chrissyreadit I think she also wanted to fill her time and show she could do more than wallow in self pity because of her husband. Was she trying to prove her worth to him? I‘m not sure. (edited) 4mo

Butterfinger She was such a gungho person. I agree with all of you. @megnews @Chrissyreadit @Roary47 and I think she was influenced by her husband and Teddy Roosevelt. She was an explorer in her own right. And they encouraged it. 4mo

Birdsong28 Because even though she was married she remembered that she came from a poor background and that notion not to get herself back into that situation drove her. Also she cared for the children because she knew what it was like to be like that. 4mo

sabyym @Chrissyreadit I agree, not just influenced by her own past but also to prove that she “deserved” being respected orthogonal to who she married. 4mo

5 likes8 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

This post contains spoilers

megnews I think Dray did an excellent job because she made all three storylines equally as compelling. I do not think this story would have been as good told in any other way. 4mo

sblbooks @megnews I agree the author did a good job in this case. I have read two other books by her that we're not in the point of view and I like those better. 4mo

Roary47 I agree @megnews I really liked the different perspectives and timelines. It was amazing that they pretty much all tied together as well. 4mo

See All 11 Comments

megnews @Roary47 I agree. To be honest, I was dreading the tie-together because sometimes it‘s so unbelievable that it takes more from the book than it‘s worth. But this was believable and understated so it wasn‘t disappointing. 4mo

Chrissyreadit @megnews @sblbooks @Roary47 I honestly wished at times this had been written as a trilogy at times with each storyline separate and complete. For me some of the transitions were jarring and stressful. I needed to complete the moment before I moved on. 4mo

sblbooks @Chrissyreadit a Trilogy would have been a great idea. 4mo

Chrissyreadit @sblbooks thanks for saying that. I think it would have been a stronger read for me that way. 4mo

Butterfinger I'm like @Chrissyreadit I enjoy multiple povs, but I will skip if there is a cliffhanger. Don't worry, I go back. And I think Dray did a fantastic job tying the three characters. Marte had two brave people to lead her. @megnews @Roary47 4mo

megnews @Butterfinger I agree about how well she tied the characters together. Sometimes it‘s far fetched when an author does that but this wasn‘t at all. It was subtle rather than made a big deal of too which made it even more believable to me. I look forward to reading more by Dray. 4mo

Birdsong28 Yes the author did a wonderful job with the multiple stories as even though they were at different times, she would always use the ending of one chapter to start the theme of the next chapter. I found that refreshing. 4mo

megnews @Birdsong28 I agree. And the more I think on this book, the more I think it‘s the best example I‘ve ever seen of writing multiple timelines. 4mo

5 likes11 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

This post contains spoilers

megnews She made the same sacrifices the American founding mothers made, with her husband risking his life for liberty. Perhaps even more so since because of the distance they were separated so much longer. 4mo

sblbooks I think she was just as strong as her husband just in a different way. She was willing to go to another country and be imprisoned, and separated from her only son. 4mo

Roary47 I agree @sblbooks and @megnews she was just as strong as her husband. She also acted as any founding mother would to empower and inspire other women. 4mo

See All 10 Comments

Chrissyreadit @megnews @sblbooks @Roary47 I def think she was as strong or stronger than her husband. She really thought about the impact of events on so many people. 4mo

Butterfinger She had to stand up to her father when Lafayette left. He left. Whew! I thought he was going to hit her. And she had to make several life altering decisions without him there. Sending her son to Washington must have been awful. @Chrissyreadit @megnews @Roary47 we admire Lafayette for helping us and I never thought that his wife was just as admirable. In fact, I never knew he was married till this book. That is why I enjoy Dray. She finds the uncelebrated. 4mo

Chrissyreadit @Butterfinger it kind of made me even more angry about how we abandoned Lafayette after his sacrifice to help our independence 4mo

megnews @Butterfinger I agree. I did not know he was married with children which makes his sacrifice to help us even greater. She was a remarkable woman who never let anything stop her. 4mo

Birdsong28 I think Adrienne was much stronger than her husband as when they were together in the prison he wanted her to give in on the first offer but she knew that she would eventually get them to see her way and get what she really wanted. 4mo

sabyym Agree with all the comments. If not ‘strong‘ like fight in the frontline of the war with swords then strong as standing by her beliefs when that belief would end her life, bravely taking responsibility over the funding of war, finance, attempt at freeing the slaves, traveling oceans to save her loved ones. (edited) 4mo

megnews @Birdsong28 yes, I think that‘s women‘s intuition 4mo

5 likes10 comments

The Women of Chateau Lafayette | Stephanie Dray

This post contains spoilers